March 5, 2016
Eagles 7s Win & Tie in Day 1 USA Sevens
Doug Coil
USA v Wales
The first pool match for the Eagles Sevens was against Wales. It took about three minutes for Martin Isoefo to pierce the defense for a try under the posts Madison Hughes converted and the Eagles took a 7-0 lead.
A minute later Jordan Williams rounded the wing and with the conversion, the score was tied. The Eagles then kicked ahead and Carlin Isles did what he does best, out run the opposition to retrieve the ball for a try. The conversion by Hughes missed wide. Watch for this try to make the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – USA Sevens highlights.
Just prior to halftime, Carlin Isles tackled and the ball went to Wales and Lloyd Evans was able to capitalize for a try. At halftime the score was 12-12.
The second half featured several attacks by both team, however the one that mattered was a Danny Barrett to Folau Niua for a try under the posts. The conversion by Hughes was good and the match ended in the Eagles favor, 19-12.
USA Starters: Niua, Hughes, Barrett, Test, Bender, Isles, Isoefo
USA v Canada
Less than 30 seconds into the match finds Zack Test in for a try. Two minutes later however, Maka Unufe is injured on a play and needs to leave the match.
A short time later the Eagles increase their lead as Niua swings the ball to Baker who kciks ahead, retrieves the kick and races for a try under the posts. Hughes converts and the USA lead 12-0.
Canada would then answer back as Admir Cejyanovic ran in for a try after Danny Barrett was apparently obstructed in trying to reach Cejvanovic. Hirayama converted to narrow the score in favor of USA 12-7.
On the restart Martin Iosefo took a tapped ball and raced in for another USA try. Hughes converted and at halftime it was Eagles 19-7 Canada.
Early in the second half the Eagles won a 5 meters defensive scrum and Petter Baker took the ball in-goal to race the length of the pitch for a try. Hughes once again converted and the Eagles now lead 26-7
The floodgates then opened for the Eagles as Canada punched in three consecutive tries to try the match 26-26. First Conor Trainor, then Nathan Hirayama and finally Phil Mack had tries and Hirayama converted the first two.
That was how the match ended, a 26-26 tie.
Eagles starters: Barrett, Bender, Test, Niua, Unufe, Hughes and Baker.
Men’s Eagles Sevens | HSBC USA Sevens
1. Carlin Isles 2. Ben Pinkelman 3. Danny Barrett 4. Garrett Bender 5. Zack Test 6. Will Holder 7. Folau Niua 8. Maka Unufe 9. Nate Augspurger 10. Madison Hughes (C) 11. Perry Baker 12. Martin Iosefo
Men’s Eagles Sevens | HSBC USA Sevens
v Wales – W 19-12
v. Canada – D 26-26
v. South Africa – Saturday, March 5 @ 2:35 p.m. PT
